New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-12
A GREAT MORAL ISSUE.
ANDREW d. WHITE TALKS OF CIVIL SER.
VICE REFORM.
URGING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO PUT STRONG
REFORM PLANK IN ITS PLATFORM AND MAKE IT

| rFROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENI OF THE IR1BUNE.I
SARATOGA Sept 1O--Andrew d. White, former presf.
dent Of Cornell University and late Minister to Ger.
many has been here the present week listening to the
interesting papers read before tho American Association
of Social Science, and as member OF the association
expressing his views the papers In the debates that
followed their reading. Mr. White was one OF the four
delegatesatlarge from this State to the Republican
National Convention of 1884. Commenting upon that
| conventions work the other day he said
1T seems to me that could wisely make reforma.
ton in our methods OF holding these National political
conventions. They held In enormous halls with
thousands of spectators looking who listen to tho
proceedings and fairly insist upon taking part in them
The galleries are packed with the adherents Of this or
that candidate and they try to howl down the friends OF
| the opposing candidates when they attempt to mako
speeches In consequence the characero
convention is destroyed. 1t gets TO resemble the
French statesGeneral during the French Revolution
when the mob of Paris dictated from the galleries the
course the Deputies from all France should pursue
remember that ut the National Convention OF 1884 it
was rather difficult matter for the Republican dele
| gates nominate a candidate for vicePresdent owing
to the noisy cries of the people in the galleries II
palpabe that Logan would be nominated but OF
desired that might be permitted to record
vote for some other candidate. With some difficulty
accomplished our aim voted for Governor Foraker"
| Mr. White then made some inquiries Of political
respondent bis opinion OF the vote Henry George
would poll Secretary OF State this fall In reply the
correspondent said that while Mr. George would poll
large vote In and Brooklyn it not possible
to say what his would be in the interior OF the state
TIL after he had made his extended tou-, addressed the
farmers and explained his theories OF land taxsonto
| them.
awell" said Mr. White, who once represented largo
Agricultural district I'm the Senate, think
predict in advance that Mr. George will get no votes
from the farmers except from ew crack-brsined ones
When they understand that theT to surrender their
land 10 the state to pool their issues it and
fhaS
upon their land-for that is what STR. Georges
theory to-they will quietly resolve to vote for
other man."
Mr. George proposes a sort OF farmers trust" said
Professor T. j. James, OF the University OF PennsyI
yania, who listening to the talk.
Yes" said Mr.. White laughing, farmers trust p
pooling all the farms in the state and the who
are conduct this mighty trust pool are the creat
ures who COVER. at Albany. I don't think tho
farmers will welcome the idea cordially"
"Will you remain in Saratoga few days longer and be
present at the meeting of the Republican state Conycn-
ton " inquired THE TRIBUSEs correspondent
-No," answered Mr. White am unfortunately called
away by a business matter have already urged tho
men who will DO the leaders in the convention 10 mako
Civil Service reform the leading issue Of the Republican
platform and the Republican campaign in this state this
fall. / am glad that the Republican newspapers
called loud attention to the and work here last
week at the meeting of the Democratic State Committee
OF Federal oGlce.hoers and hope this publication OF
the names OF these men VIII be maintained
"The Pennsylvania Republican newspapers" said
Professor James. published long list OF the Demo
oiceholders who ATTENDED the Democratic state
Convention that state; but presume President
Cleveland viii not dismiss them from Office
NO." said Mr.. White as Burke said, you caunot
indct nation And President CleTelani cannot turn
ont Democratic officials for interfering in he
would have to turn them all ont later. Tho
President has nothing to>build in the Democratic
parr>~hen he undertakes to bring about Civil Service
reform. With very few exceptions the members OF the
party opposed II. The Democratic party in the
last years has gradually accumulated its
ranks all the Teactionary elements OF population.
They can have sympathy with Civil Service Ireform.
nor indeed, any reform. No enlightened citizen can
pect anything them Ia that direction or from their
party they IN the majority and control its
That Is why say that the Republican leaders should
take up the vce reform idea and push it, Their
party the only that bring about the REFORM
Republican party contains the men OF intelligence
good morals the OF education OF the country
to whom the Civil Service reform idea naturally ac
ceptabe Once interest them IN it anu they would mako
it the dominant iu politics. and with it they would
win the polls. Every that we are IN state OK
deadlock the tariff and that will not be touched
by Congress; that have Free-Trade Democrats and
Free-TraGe Republicans and Protection Republicans
and Protection Democrats, and party lines so crossed
that the tariff cannot be made an issue. say 10 my
Republican friends: Here is an issue for you, an almost
Godgiven that of Civil Service reform. And then
Service is necessary before do anything In poll
ties | have told my Prohibtonist friends that they
the polls with the present set OF officials. Why the
% ne an with II ssey ws wf e
ideas OF the people Considrration Of claims for oce
men and leaves them OF Importance to give to the
work OF legislation Why will not public rccog-
ing You know the old proverb that when you appoint
TO office you make nnetynine enemies ana one
migrate That is true saying and the political history
OF the last twenty years gives evidence Of
its truth
"No man or party can distribute offices witho Ut in tho
end accommodating many enemies that he aud it viii
lose power Look at Roscoe Conkling. | remember
Sm ff s al that Ss az head Of the
party In this state and through President Grant could
as about any s SnHsT~fsst Is
drawer and showed me forty Applications for small!
WE'LL Mr Consas after you have made t that appoint
REUBEN Fsnton fellow
him about what have done and he will rub his hands
:Ssss say that he I bad hal the making
appointment some other man would have had the Office
t 'Ss aissppo sSS Applicant would back
chance is rsTsns. aGS Ts Mr.
Thought differently aud went on making the appoint.
whin the Republican party grew larger
number. He kept them under for a long time by hi,
w n VII n so S ss hs o
Hlscock IL he should distribute the offices and at
s .sTp! within tho s1 party eu. from
OF him I look for better things, Tor 10
is % III An OF q conciliatory disposition.
"Then consider President Garfield. a man OF moN
kindly disposition consider the pressure upon him 100
office | remember that while In Berlin in the earn
part Of the year 1880. received a letter from NM
which. In view OF his after most pathetic
had written TO him warmly congratulatng HIN noh ns
election az United states senator from ono IN
his reply. after thanking for my Ieues
he asked me get him the most re
cent editions Of the Latin classics that had oesn
printed in Germany as now that had been eeeteda
m embsr OF the Upper House he would have leisure !.
read again the books that had delighted him at SCHOOL,
Well leisure for him after he had once ueSa
elected President Yet this office giving brings our p
lie fame II occupies their days thst tneI
have time for connecting ther name Win SUN. n~